The Society contributes to the ongoing debate on Planning, Good Design of Developments etc all of which contribute to the health of the population. Having become concerned at the pace and direction of providing health facilities for a growing population The Society has developed a report (April 2025) that examines how the NHS service should be configured in Guildford to meet the challenges of the future. This includes recommendations.
The presentation is split into several topic areas. These can be viewed below. A link to whole slide pack is provided below the Topics.
There are developments that make creating a plan for NHS primary care more urgent:
a) The government injecting energy into moving to a Primary Care focussed model for the NHS. Guildford needs to have plans to obtain funding.
b) Guildford Borough council are working on an updated local plan that will be an opportunity to identify primary health care Site sites, which will demand good transport links and other supporting infrastructure.
c) Guildford Borough council are also considering adopting Community Infrastructure Levy’s (CIL) for new developments, which may unlock funding for new Health Facilites.
d) The Council in the Local Plan: Strategy and Sites (LPSS), adopted April 2019, has a plan to supply 562 dwellings per annum. From identified sites there is a land supply to deliver this over 5.66 years.
From 1 April 2025 which is after the LPSS’s fifth anniversary the next five-year housing land supply figure will need to be assessed against the local housing need figure calculated using the standard method set out in the National Planning Practice Guidance. This is currently calculated as 1,155 dwellings per annum.
This will, if achieved, mean over the next five years circa 2500 extra residents will be accommodated in the borough per annum.
The government is proposing that the NHS focusses more on Primary Care that covers all of the services such as GPs and community based services.
Secondary Care describes hospital services in general hospitals such as Accident and Emergency, and a wide variety of treatment.
Tertiary Care covers specialist services mainly based in specialist hospitals such as oncology, neurosciences, cardiology, tertiary orthopaedics, tertiary paediatrics, etc.
Note: the Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) is the general hospital for Guildford providing Secondary Care but with a large Tertiary Care element specialising in Cancer Care (Oncology).
Help us make Guildford better
We want our town to be vibrant, attractive and liveable. We support development that brings a sense of place and enhances the best aspects of our town. If such aims can be embraced, we believe Guildford has the chance to lead the way in enabling sensitive and sustainable development.
Pressures for development are increasing. Planning rules are being eased. The Society’s commitment to standing up for Guildford is needed more than ever.
Support Us
Getting involved allows the society to continue its work. We welcome new members, from every age and background. Membership provides an opportunity for you to contribute to the continued health of the town and surrounding area, and to meet other people who care about Guildford.
